of parkersburg



F. 1 MILLER 1,875,477

COUPLI NG DEVICE Sept. 6, 1932.

amg

Sept. 6, 1932. F. l.. MILLER COUPLING DEVICE Filed March T59, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l i i gwuwptoz www.

Patented Sept. 6, 1932 UNITED PTENT oFFlc-lszfl,

FRANK I.. 1 \IILI.I.R,y orrnnxERsBUnG,

ENGINEERING Co wns'ry VIRGINIA n WEST vIfne'INIaAYssIGNoR reprime-MILLER? PnNY; orl rnnxnnsnune, wns'r vine-INIA,l Alf-co'informationf'orI4 coUrLING DEVICE Application inea March, 3o, 1931:. seriarNo. 526,511.

This invention relates to coupling devices,

particularly devices for coupling motor-v tractors to trailers and similarY devlces, `r`andv and an improvement over the structure shown I have disclosed a coupling socket includingV stationary and movablemembers carried by the tractor, the movable socket vmemberbe-- ing adapted to open to permit a ,coupling member` connected to the'trailer towenterk the reinto. Automatic latch me ans is provided for the `movable socket member and actsfpartf.v

ly as the thrust `take-up means duringqthe operationof the device.. Means also is :priovided for guiding. thepcoupling member into the socket as the vtractor is-backed toward the trailer.

An important object of the present invendtion is to improve the means for guiding the;

coupling member into' the socket topermit this action totake place more easily.

A further objectk is yto provide a device of' thecharacter referred to whichis'mounted` for longitudinal movement with respect' to the tractor,'and which. movement is opposed action to provide a cushion p K Y l and are'adaplted to receivea coupling memby spring coupling. f

the lat-ches inoperative whereby the latchesare' placed-in position ready tolock a trailer to the tracton" @ther objects and advantages' of theinvention will become apparent during thek course of the followingdescription.

In the drawings I have shwn'one embdi-T ment of the invention.' Inthis showing,

Figure 1 1s a ing removed, y i

Figure 2 is a side elevation,VA n Figure 3 1s -arear elevation-,of Vthe rcomplete device,

Figure 4 is a central verticalflongitudinal sectionalA view on line 4.-,-4 of Figure 1,

my copending applicationvSerial? No.

plan view, the ,'guideplaite be-" j `U- shaped` retainers 28the Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional lviewon".

` Figure v(Sis a planview. of the pivoted guide plate. .n l

Referring to thedrawings, the `numeral 10 p designates opposite pairs of guides having openings l1 for the vreception of'fastening'.

elements by means of which the guides maybe secured againstthe top of the rear end of'a tractor. A lbody indicated as a'whole" bythenumeral 12=is provided with outsta'ndv y ingfsigde flanges 1,3 slidable beneath the inner upwardly offset guide flanges 14 or'ithe'` guides110. .i

,The body is provided substantially'cen trallyy thereof with an integral socket mem? ber 15 having a substantially semispheric'al. recess 16 Itherein. Rearwardly of thesocket memberl, the body is provided with spaced i parallel side walls 17 connected at'their 'rear ends by a`web18. In'the space between theV side .walls 17 a complementary socket mei'nf ber 19fis arranged, and this socket member" is pivotallyconnected .to the body 12 by4 a pivotpin `20. The socket member ,19aljso' has asubsta'ntially semisspherical recess 21 frmed therein. Obviously'the members15` and, 19 form-complementary socket lmembers berto be described.. y yCentrallyV ofthe .widthv of the socket, the member 19 thereoffis pro'- vided with a projecting portion 22 for a'pur.-Y poseto bel described. p v

Each `side wall 17 is provided with'spacedf parallel outstanding guides 2,3,and each Vof these guides receives a latch rmember 2,4` adapted to engage behind vthe rear face of.' the'socket member '19 whenA the latter is in closed position.- The latches are vprovide'di withfbeveled inner ends 2,5, as shown lin F ig-y ure y5,rto Vfacilitate movement of the socket member 19 to closed position. The'latches are urged inwardly by springs 26 bearingv againstthe outer faces h27 of suvbstantially.

.tops of. theselretainers .beingr'secured lto the guidesI 23 'by screws 29. Y, Y The retainers 28 have their lower wallsV spaced below the latches'24 toslidably support cam rods 30. vThese rods are provided' ua if with oppositely faced cams 31 and 32 adapted to engage depending pins 33 carried by the latches 24. The rear ends of the cam bars 30 are pivotally connected as at 34 to a cross bar 35, and this bar is pivotally connected substantially centrally thereof as at36 to the body 12 forwardly of the socket. The cross bar 35 carries a preferably integral lever l37, movement swing the cross bar and operate the cam bars.-

ly through the vertical flange 41, as shown in Figure 4. lA thrust washer 44 is retained are provided at their inner pending skirts 52 whichconverge forwardi A reinforcing rib 56 extends between they vwalls 54. These bosses,

on the forward end of the rod 42 by a nut 45. A spring 46 tween the flange 41 and washer 44, while a similar spring 47 surroundsthev rod 42 between the body `12 and the washer41.V To

accommodate the bottom of the spring, the plate 39 has its central portion cut away as at 48. V*

. The body 12 is provided on opposite sides with outstanding alined trunnions 49, as clearly shown in Figuresl, 2 and 5. A guide plate 50 is arranged above the body 12 and is provided with rearwardly extending arms 51. Adjacent their rear ends, the arms 51 edges with delyat a relatively sharp angle. Forwardly ofthe skirts 52, the inner edges 53 of the arms 51 converge ata slight angle, as clearly shown in Figure 6. Adjacent opposite sides, the plate 50 is provided with dependingside walls 54 connected tothe skirts 52 by webs side walls 54.l Bosses 57 are formed integral with and extend outwardly fromthe side l together with caps 58, form bearings rotatably receiving the trunnions 49, and the caps 58 are held in position by bolts 59. It will be apparent that the lplate 50 tilts about the axis of the trunnions 49 and this tilting action is utilized for assisting in guiding a V'coupling member to b'e described, into the socket. This guiding action'is facilitated by the convergence of the inneredges of the arms 51, and the downward sl'ope'of the rear portion of the upper faces ofthes'e arms as indicated by the numeral 60.

Af'coupling plate 61 is connected in any suitable manner to of which is adapted toV surrounds the rod 42 be-` the trailer and preferably` has'its side and forward edges turned up? wardly as at 62 to facilitate the operation of the device in a manner to be described. A coupling shank 63 is carried by the plate 61. This shank is provided with a reduced upper end 64 passing through an opening in the `plate 61, and the shankV is retained in position by a nut 65. A ball 66 is carried by the lower end of the shank 63 for reception in the socket members 15 and 19.

The operation of the device is as follows:

rl`heA plate 5() obviously has itsgreatest weight arranged rearwardly of the tilting arms of the plate, and accordingly the plate normally occupies thel dotted line position shown in Figure When it is desired to couple the tractor to a trailer, the tractor is backed toward the trailer to cause the shank 63 to enter between the arms 51 of the guide plate. If the" coupling is not accurately alined with the shank 63, the diverging inner edges of the arms 51 will guide the shank inwardly to a position in alinement with the socket.

Rear-ward movement of the tractor is continued, andV the upturned edges 62 of the plate -61- contact with the plate 50 to minimize friction between these elements, and when the ball reaches a position almost within the socket, the plate 611will swing the plater50 to its operative position, as shown in solid lines nFigure 4. During the movement referred to, the 'plate 50 will elevate the shank 63 if the ball is in a position slightly below the plane of the socket so that the ball will be in a proper position to enter into the socket.

Duringthis time, the socket member 19 will occupy Vthefdotted line position shown in Figure 4, and accordingly the ball will move over the socket member 19 until the balll'contacts 4with the projectingl end 22, which will extendxupwardly when the movable socket member is in the position de scribed. Continued movement of the ball into the socket causes the projecting end 22 of the socket member 19 to be swung inwardly and downwardly and accordingly the movable socket member will be moved upwardly toward the operative position shown insolid-lines in Figure 4.

When the ball 66 reaches a position exactly centered in the socket, the movable member 19v thereof will have assumed the operative position shown in solid lines in Figure 4, and as it approaches such position, it bears against the bevel faces 25 of the latches to move these members outwardly against the tension of the Springs 26. As soon as socket member 19 reaches operative position, the latches 24 will snap back into operative position as shown in Figures i1 and 5.

` The lever 37 is operative for'releasing the ball from the socket. By pulling on the lever 37, movement will be transmitted to the cam bars 30 to cause the cams 31 and 32 to engage the pins 33. This caus'esrthe latches to be 66 will move outv ofthe socketto disconnect the trailer from the tractor. Inithis connectionit will be noted that when the lever 37 is pulled outwardly, -thecams 3l and 32- will ridebeyond the pins 33, and accordingly the latches will be held infretraeted position'after the lever 37 isreleased. When the tractor is moved forwardly, the ball 66 will move out lof thesocket, and l scribed movement of the lever `37 will have moved the camarm 38 inwardly, it will be apparent that this arm is arranged in the path of travel 4of the shank 63. As the trailer is released from .theztractoig therefore, the shank 63 will contact with thearm 38 to return thecam mechanismlto normal position and thus release the latch 24, and accordingly the'latches are placed in position ready to be automatically operated when another trailer is connectedto the tractor. Obviously no spring means is employed for holding the lever 3.7 and associated elements in operative position, and accordingly the driver of the tractor merely may. pull the lever 37 outwardlyand 'releaseit, and then drive the tractor `forwardly to release vit from the trailer.

It will beV apparent that the pulling thrust exerted when the device is in operation is taken up between three elements, namely `the two latches124 and the pivot-r pin 20. Thus the thrust is vtaken carciofi/very effectively, substantially per cent. of the thrust being taken up bythe pin 20. The spring 47 acts to cushion thrusts in one direction, whilethe spring 46 cushions thrusts the opposite direction. Accordingly the thrusts occurring during the pulling of the trailer are taken care of fas are those occurring when the tractor is backed into position to becoupled to a trailer. In this connection, it will be noted that lthe plate 39 is lixed to the tractor while the body l2 is adapted to slide longitudinally withv respect to the tractorr against the tension of the springs 46 and47. 1

F rom the .foregoing-it will be apparent that the present device is simple in construction and permits the coupling action tobe quickly and readily completed. Itaiso will be apparent that the provision of the thrust springs 46 and 47 cushionsvthrusts of the body l2 in'both directions, thus improving the action of the device and greatly lengthening its life. y

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as aprefe'rred example of the same and thatfvarious changes in the shape, size andarrangement of parts may be resorted to without...departing-from vthe spirit of since the previouslydelower end adapted and a guide plate pivotally the'finvcntion or .the Scope of the Subioined claims.

Ielaim; c 1 l. A device ofthe character described com prising a body adapted to be mounted over a portionof a motor vehicle adjacent the rear end thereof and having a yportion forming a socket member, al coacting` socket member pivotally connected to said body to swing vertically between operative and inoperative positions, means for locking said last named member'in operative position, said members forming a spherical socket, a coupling element adaptedlfor connectionwith a vehicle to be towed by said motor vehicle, and a guide plate pivotally connected ,to said body and operative for engaging said coupling element to position the latter laterallyand vertically for movement into ysaid socket members. i

- 2. Adevice of the character described comprising a body adapted ,to be mount-ed over a portion of a motor end thereof and having a portion forming a socket member, a coacting socket member pivotally connected to said body to swing vertically between operativeand inoperative positions, means for locking said last named member in operative position, said members forming aspherical socket, a coupling ele. ment adapted for connection with a vehicle to be towed by said motor vehicle and Vhaving a coupling memberat its lower end engageable Vin said socket members, -fsaid coacting socket member having a proj ction enga-geable by said coupling member as it moves to operative position inlsaid socket members for swinging said coacting socket member to operative position, and a guide plate pivoted on a. horizontal axis .to said bodyand engageable with portions ofsaid couplingelement toposition said coupling member vertically and laterally for movementinto said socket members. s 3. A devicev of the character described comprising avbody adapted to be mounted over a portion of a motor vehicle adjacent the rear Y end thereof and having a portion forming a socket member, a coacting socket member pivotallyrconnected to said body and vertically movable between operativey and inoperative position said members formingY a spherical socket, a coupling element adapted for connection with a vehicle to be towed by said motor vehicle and including a top plate and a dependingshankhavinga ball at its for engagement in said socket members, connected to said body and operative for engaging said .plate andsaid shank to position said ball laterally and verticallyrfor movement into said socket members.

.s 4. A device-of the character described comprising a body adapted to be mounted over a portionof a motor vehicle" adjacent the rear Y end thereof andl .having a portion forming `a vehicle adjacent the rear i pivotally connected to said body and vertically movable between operative and inoperative positions, said members forming a spherical socket, a couplingelement adapted-for connection with a vehicle to be towed byv said motor vehicle andv including a top plateand a depending shank having a ball at 'its lower end adapted for engagement in: said socket members, and a guide. plate pivotally connected to said body to swing about a horizontal aXis, said guide piate being engageable beneath vsaid firstV named plateto elevate it toa position with said ball in the horizontal plane of said socket members and being provided with a forwardly converging slot in its rear end engageable wi h said shank to guide saidballlaterally into said socket members.

5. A device of the character described comprising a body adapted to be mounted over a portion of a niotor'vehicle Vadjacent the rear end thereof and having a portion kforming a. socket member, a lcoacting socket member pivotally connected to said body to swing `about a horizontal axis between operative and inoperative positions, a coupling element adapted Yfor connection with a vehicle to be towed by said motor vehicle and including a ball adapted for engagement in said socket members, said coacting socket member having a projection engageable by said. ball as it moi-'esl into said socket members-fon swinging said coacting socket member to operativeposition, means for locking said coacting socket member in operative position, and a guide plate pivotally connected to said lbody and operative for positioning said ball laterally and vertically for movement into said socket members.

'6. A device of the character described comprising a body adapted to be mounted over a portion of a motor vehicle adjacent the rear end thereof and having a portion forming a Y socket member, a coacting socket member pivotally connected to said body toswing about a horizontal axis between operative andinop erative positions, a coupling plate adapted for connection with a vehicle to be towed, a depending ball 'carried by said coupling plate and adaptedfcor engagement in said socket members, said coacting socket member having a projection engageable by said ball as it moves into said socket member for swinging said coacting socket member to operative position, means for locking said coacting socket member in operative position, and a guide plate pivota-lly connected to said body and provided with a forwardly converging slot in its rear end, sail guide plate and the walls-of its slot being engageable with said coupling plate for positioning said ball laterally and vertically Vfor movement into said Vsocket members.

7. A device of n the character described comprising Ya body adapted to'be mounted over a portion of a motor vehicle adjacent the rear end thereof and having' a portion forming a socket member, a coacting socket member pivotally connected to said-body to swing vertically between operative and inoperative positions, means for locking said last named member in operative position, said members forming a spherical socket, a coupling element adapted for connection with a vehicle to be towed, and a guide plate pivotally connected to said body on an axis arranged yforwardly of the center of gravity of said plate and coincident with the center of the socket formed by said member, said guide plate being engageable to position the latter vertically and laterally for movement into said socket member.

8. A device of the character described comprising'a body adapted to be mounted over a portion of a'motor vehicle adjacent the rear end thereof and having a portion forming a socket member, a coacting socket member pivotally connected to said body and movable vertically between operative and inoperative positions, said members socket, a coupling element adapted for connection with a vehicle to be towed and including a top plate and a depending shank having a ball at itsy lower end adapted for engagement in said socket members, and a guide plate pivotally connected to said body on an axis arranged forwardly of the center of gravity of said plate and coincident with the center of the socket defined by said socket members,

with said coupling element forming a spherical said guide plate being engageable with said cally between operative and inoperative positions, means-for locking said last named member in position, a coupling element adapted for connection with avehicle to be towed and having a coupling member at'its lower end engageable in said socket members, said coacting socket member having a projection engageable by said coupling member as it moves to operative position in said socket for swinging said coacting socket member to operative position, and a guide plate pivoted on a horizontal axis to said body forwardly of the center of gravity ofthe guide plate and engageable with portions of said coupling element to position said coupling member vertically and laterally for movement into said socket members. y

l0. lA device of the character described comprising a body adapted to be mounted over a portion of a motor vehicle adjacent the rear end thereof and having a portion forming a socket member, a coacting socket member pivotally connected to said body to swing about a horizontal axis between operative and inoperative positions, a coupling element adapted for connection with a vehicle to be towed and including a top plate, a depending shank and a ball carried by the lower end of said shank, said coacting socket having a projection engageable by `saidball as it moves into said socket members for moving said coacting socket member to operative position, and a guid-e plate pivoted to said body on an aXis coincident with the center of the socket defined by said socket members and forwardly of the center of gravity of the guide plate and engageable with said top plate and said shank for positioning said ball vertically and laterally for movement into said socket members.

ll. A device of the character described comprising a body adapted to be mounted over a portion of a motor vehicle adjacent the rear end thereof and movable longitudinally with respect to the vehicle, a plurality ofk guide members engaging said body for guiding it in such longitudinal movement, said body having a portion forming a socket member, a coacting socket member pivotally connected to said body and movable vertically between operative and inoperative positions, said socket members forming a spherical socket, a coupling element adapted for connection with a vehicle to be towed and including a top plate and a depending shank having a ball at its lower end adapted yfor engagement in said socket members, a substantially U-shaped guide plate pivotally connected to said body and having the innery edges of its arms converging forwardly, said guide plate and said converging edges being4 respectively engageablev with saidtop plate and said shank to guide said ball into said socket members, and spring means tending to prevent longitudinal movement of said body in either direction from a normal position.

12. A device of the character described comprising a body adapted to be mounted over a portion of a motor vehicle adjacentthe rear end thereof and having a portion forming a socket member, a coacting socket member pivotally connected to said body to swing between operative and inoperative positions,-

spring latch means for said last named member automatically movable toward operative position, a coupling element adapted for connection with a vehicle to be towed and including a shank having a member at its lower end adapted to be moved into said socket members when said movable socket member is in inoperative position, manual means for rendering said latch means inoperative to permit the member on said shank to move out of said socket members, and means including a member engageable with said shank as the member thereof moves out ofsaid socket members for rendering said manual means inoperative.

acting members one of which is pivoted to swing between operative and inoperative positions, a coupling element adapted for connection with a vehicle to be towed and including a shank having a ball at its lower end adapted to be received in said socket when the movable member thereof is in operative position, a spring pressed latch engageable outwardly of said movable socket member to retainit inoperative position and provided with a beveled face engageable by said movable socket member as the latter moves to operative rposition for depressing the latch, a cam operative for moving the latch to inoperative position, operating means for said cam, anda member connected to said operating means and arranged in the path of travel ofthe shank when said latch has been moved to inoperative position by said cam and adapted to be engaged by said shank as the ball moves out of said socket for returning said cam to inoperative position and releasing said latch.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature. Y FRANK L. MILLER. 

